Ultimate Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad: A Zesty & Smoky Elote-Inspired Fiesta in a Bowl
Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary journey with this Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad. This vibrant and utterly irresistible dish takes the beloved flavors of traditional Mexican street corn, or “elote,” and transforms them into a convenient, spoonable salad. It’s a true fiesta on a plate, capturing the lively spirit and bold tastes of Mexico’s bustling street food scene right in your own kitchen.
Imagine the joy of biting into perfectly grilled corn on the cob, its kernels sweet, smoky, and slightly charred. Now, picture that same magic, enhanced with a medley of tangy, savory, and spicy elements, all expertly combined into a refreshing salad. This recipe delivers exactly that – a delightful twist on elote that makes enjoying these incredible flavors easier than ever. It’s an explosion of sweet, savory, smoky, and spicy notes that will leave your palate thoroughly satisfied and craving more.
For those who adore the authentic taste of Mexican street corn but prefer it in an easy-to-eat format, this salad is a dream come true. No more messy corn on the cob; just pure, unadulterated flavor in every spoonful. YES!
Why You Will Love This Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
This Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s an experience. You’ll quickly fall in love with its dynamic flavor profile and incredible versatility. Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your culinary repertoire:
- **A Symphony of Flavors:** This salad perfectly balances sweet, savory, smoky, and spicy elements. The grilling process caramelizes the corn’s natural sugars, imparting a deep sweetness and irresistible smoky char. Tangy lime, savory cotija cheese, and a hint of heat from fresh jalapenos come together in a harmonious blend that creates a truly bold and satisfying taste sensation.
- **Irresistible Texture:** Beyond the incredible flavors, this salad offers a delightful textural contrast. You get the satisfying crunch of fresh corn kernels, the soft crumble of cotija cheese, and the crisp bite of green onions, all coated in a creamy, zesty dressing.
- **Freshness in Every Bite:** Traditional Mexican ingredients like vibrant cilantro and crisp green onions, alongside optional cherry tomatoes, add an unparalleled level of freshness that brightens the entire dish. These elements cut through the richness, making it feel light and invigorating.
- **Incredibly Versatile:** Whether you’re looking for a standout side dish for your next barbecue, a light and refreshing vegetarian main course, or a flavorful topping for tacos and burritos, this Mexican street corn salad fits the bill. It’s equally delicious served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it perfect for any occasion and any season.
- **Easy to Make & Even Easier to Devour:** Despite its gourmet taste, this salad is surprisingly simple to prepare. The grilling process is straightforward, and assembling the salad takes mere minutes. It’s designed for convenience without compromising on authentic flavor, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying.
- **The Crowd-Pleaser for Potlucks and Parties:** Need to bring a dish that will make you the star of any potluck or gathering? This vibrant, flavorful salad is a guaranteed hit. Its unique taste and colorful presentation are sure to impress everyone.
This salad truly captures the essence of Mexican cuisine in an accessible and delicious form. Once you make it, you’ll want to enjoy it all the time. If you’re looking for a perfect main dish to pair with this vibrant salad, consider our Mexican Grilled Chicken Breasts (Pechuga Asada), Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, Crispy Pork Carnitas, or our Grilled Adobo Pork Tenderloin. Each of these dishes would perfectly complement the bold flavors of the corn salad.
Essential Ingredients for Your Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad
The beauty of this incredibly flavorful salad lies in its selection of simple, yet powerfully impactful, ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered taste and texture that makes this dish so special:
- Fresh Corn on the Cob: This is the star of our show. Sweet, plump, and bursting with natural sugars, fresh corn is transformed through grilling. The high heat creates a beautiful smoky char and intensifies its inherent sweetness, adding a depth of flavor that canned or frozen corn simply cannot replicate. Aim for peak-season corn for the best results.
- Jalapeños: These small but mighty green peppers introduce a delightful, mild kick of heat. When grilled, their skin softens, and their flavor mellows slightly, becoming more nuanced and smoky. You have full control over the spiciness: remove the seeds and white ribs for a milder salad, or leave some in for a bolder, spicier experience that truly dances on your palate.
- Cilantro: A cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, fresh cilantro brings a bright, herbaceous, and slightly citrusy aroma and flavor. It acts as a refreshing counterpoint to the richer ingredients, infusing every bite with its irresistible, vibrant essence and a pop of green color.
- Green Onions: Offering a milder and crisper onion flavor compared to their red or white counterparts, green onions (also known as scallions) provide a subtle pungency. Their delicate oniony notes complement the other ingredients without overpowering them, adding a fresh, slightly peppery crunch. We typically use just the green tops for a lighter flavor and vibrant color.
- Cotija Cheese: This crumbly, firm Mexican cheese is essential for an authentic street corn experience. With its distinctive salty and tangy notes, Cotija cheese brings a luxurious and creamy texture when mixed into the salad. It perfectly balances the sweetness of the corn and the acidity of the lime, adding a satisfying richness and depth that ties all the flavors together.
The creamy, zesty dressing for this Mexican street corn salad is equally important, binding all the fresh flavors together. It consists of:
- Mayonnaise: Providing a rich, creamy, and velvety base, mayonnaise coats all the ingredients, ensuring a smooth mouthfeel and helping the flavors adhere beautifully. It contributes to the classic “elote” creaminess.
- Fresh Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice is paramount. It introduces a vibrant, tangy, and bright flavor that elevates the overall freshness of the salad. The citrusy zing cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and cheese, creating a perfectly balanced profile.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the dressing with a subtle yet distinct savory and aromatic note. This touch of garlic elevates the flavor complexity, adding a foundational layer of savory goodness.
- Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper: These essential seasonings are crucial for enhancing the taste of all the ingredients. Kosher salt brings out the natural sweetness of the corn and balances the entire dish, while fresh ground black pepper adds a hint of mild spiciness and subtle warmth.
Together, these dressing ingredients create a harmonious blend of creamy, tangy, savory, and subtly spicy elements, ensuring every spoonful of this Mexican street corn salad is bursting with deliciousness.
How To Make Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this irresistible Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad is a straightforward process that yields incredible flavor. Follow these simple steps to bring the taste of Mexico to your table:
- **Prepare Your Grill:** Begin by preheating your grill to a medium-high heat, aiming for approximately 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for getting a good char on the corn and jalapeños without burning them too quickly.
- **Grill the Corn and Jalapeños:** Once your grill is hot, carefully place the fresh corn on the cob and the whole jalapeños directly over the flames. Grill the vegetables for about 10 to 15 minutes, turning them frequently with tongs to ensure even cooking and to develop that coveted smoky char on all sides. You’re looking for significant browning and some blackened spots on the corn kernels, and softened, slightly blistered skin on the jalapeños. This grilling step is crucial for the depth of flavor in the salad.
- **Cool the Grilled Produce:** Once grilled to perfection, remove the corn and jalapeños from the grill and set them aside on a cutting board or platter to cool. It’s important to let them cool sufficiently so they are comfortable to handle before proceeding to the next steps.
- **Remove Corn Kernels from the Cob:** This is where a little trick comes in handy to make your life easier and keep your fingers safe. Place a small bowl upside down inside a larger bowl. Rest one end of a cooled corn cob on the bottom of the small, inverted bowl. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice downwards along the cob, allowing the kernels to fall neatly into the larger bowl below. Repeat with all the corn cobs.
- **Dice the Jalapeños:** For the jalapeños, carefully dice them into small pieces. This is your chance to control the heat level of your salad. For a spicier kick, leave some or all of the seeds and white ribs intact. For a milder salad, scrape out and discard the seeds and ribs before dicing.
- **Combine Core Ingredients:** To the large bowl with the corn kernels and diced jalapeños, add your freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. Give it a gentle toss to combine these vibrant fresh ingredients.
- **Prepare the Dressing:** In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper until thoroughly combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed – you might want a little more salt, pepper, or lime depending on your preference.
- **Dress the Salad:** Pour the prepared dressing over the corn mixture in the large bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly, ensuring all the kernels and fresh ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy, zesty dressing.
- **Add Cotija Cheese:** Finally, crumble the Cotija cheese over the salad. Stir very gently to incorporate the cheese without breaking it down too much, allowing its distinct texture and salty notes to shine through in every bite.
And there you have it! No need to struggle with sticky corn on the cob anymore. This salad lets you enjoy all the fantastic flavors of elote in an easy-to-eat and mess-free form. This salad is a perfect side dish for almost any meal, especially during warm weather gatherings like barbecues or picnics, where it brings a flavor explosion that everybody will love.
The first time we made this, I confess I ate it straight as a salad with a spoon! Since then, its versatility has impressed me. I’ve used it as a delicious topping for street tacos, wrapped it up in hearty burritos, and even added it to our slow cooker Mexican chicken for an extra layer of flavor. It’s absolutely delish!
This dish is like classic street food made classy and convenient, ready to impress your taste buds and transport you straight to the lively streets of Mexico. So, grab a fork, dig in, and let the fiesta begin!
Tips, Tricks, and Delicious Variations for Your Corn Salad
This Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad is fantastic as is, but it’s also wonderfully adaptable. Here are some tips and variations to help you customize it to your liking and make it even more spectacular:
- **Onion Choices:** While we typically opt for the milder flavor of green onions in our Mexican Street Corn Salad, you can absolutely use red onion for a more robust, pungent hit of flavor. If using red onion, consider finely dicing it and even briefly rinsing it under cold water to lessen its sharpness, especially if you prefer a less intense onion taste.
- **Boosting the Smokiness and Spice:** We love the distinct smokiness that grilling the jalapeños imparts. If you want to further enhance this or achieve a smoky flavor without grilling, consider adding a touch of **chili powder** or **smoked paprika** to the dressing. These spices will provide mild spiciness and earthy, smoky undertones that harmonize beautifully with the other flavors, making for a fantastic option. A pinch of cayenne pepper can also dial up the heat if you’re a spice enthusiast.
- **Adding Creaminess and Cooling Heat:** For an even richer and smoother texture, or to temper the heat from the jalapeños, a touch of **sour cream** or authentic **Mexican crema** would be a superb addition to the dressing. These dairy components add a lovely tang and lusciousness, making the salad feel even more indulgent.
- **Expand Your Ingredients:** This dish is incredibly forgiving and welcomes additional ingredients. Feel free to modify it to your preferences by incorporating elements such as:
- **Black Beans:** Rinsed and drained, they add protein, fiber, and a hearty texture.
- **Diced Red Bell Pepper:** For a touch of sweetness, extra color, and a crisp texture.
- **Avocado:** Creamy, healthy fats that complement Mexican flavors perfectly.
- **Cherry Tomatoes:** Halved, they bring extra juiciness and a sweet-tart burst.
- **Lime Zest:** Adds an even brighter, more intense lime aroma and flavor to the dressing.
- **Crumbled Feta Cheese:** If Cotija is hard to find, feta can be a decent substitute, though it has a different tang and texture.
- **Corn Alternatives for Convenience:** While using fresh corn on the cob that has been grilled is unequivocally the best option for flavor and texture, we understand that sometimes convenience is key. Yes, you can use **canned corn** (well-drained and rinsed) or **frozen corn** (thawed and drained) to make this dish. To mimic the grilled flavor, you can dry-roast the canned or thawed frozen corn in a hot skillet until it gets some browned, charred spots before mixing it into the salad. This will help develop some of that desirable smoky sweetness.
- **Make Ahead Tips:** This salad tastes even better after the flavors have had a chance to meld. You can prepare it a few hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. If making it much further ahead, consider adding the Cotija cheese and a final squeeze of lime juice just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About Mexican Street Corn Salad
Mexican street corn salad, also known as Esquites, is primarily made with grilled corn kernels, often combined with fresh jalapeños, vibrant cilantro, crisp green onions, and savory Cotija cheese. The rich and tangy dressing typically includes mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. These ingredients come together to create a deeply flavorful and colorful salad that captures the essence of classic Mexican street food.
Elote and esquite are both delicious ways to enjoy Mexican street corn, but they differ in presentation. **Elote** refers to grilled or boiled corn served on the cob, typically slathered with mayonnaise or crema, sprinkled with chili powder, lime juice, and Cotija cheese. It’s a handheld treat. **Esquite**, on the other hand, is the deconstructed version. The corn kernels are cut off the cob and served in a cup or bowl, mixed with the same seasonings and toppings as elote. This salad recipe is inspired by the flavors of elote but served in the convenient esquite style, making it easy to eat with a fork or spoon.
While both Cotija and feta cheese are crumbly and salty, they have distinct differences. **Cotija cheese**, a Mexican cow’s milk cheese, is firm, dry, and has a strong, salty, and tangy flavor that deepens with age, sometimes compared to Parmesan. **Feta cheese**, originating from Greece and typically made from sheep’s or goat’s milk, is generally softer, creamier, and has a more pungent, briny, and slightly sour taste. They differ in texture and flavor profile, making them unique choices for various culinary applications, though feta can serve as a substitute for Cotija in a pinch.
Other Delicious Latin-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed the vibrant flavors of this Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad, you’re sure to love these other Latin-inspired dishes:
Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
Restaurant Style Queso Dip
Frito Pie Casserole Recipe
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 8 ears fresh corn on the cob
- 2 fresh jalapenos
- 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4-5 green onions, diced (we used green tops only)
- 1 cup Cotija cheese
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons of fresh lime juice
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
-
Preheat the grill to 400ºF.
-
Grill the corn and jalapenos for 15-20 minutes, turning frequently, until lightly charred.8 ears fresh corn on the cob, 2 fresh jalapenos
-
Carefully cut the corn off the cobs into a large bowl. Chop and seed (if desired) the grilled jalapenos and toss in the bowl with the corn.
-
Add the cilantro and green onions.3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, 4-5 green onions, diced
-
In a small bowl mix the dressing ingredients. Pour over the corn mixture and toss to combine.1/4 cup mayonnaise, 3 Tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 1 clove of garlic, 1/4-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
-
Add the Cotija cheese and gently toss to incorporate.1 cup Cotija cheese
-
Serve warm, room temperature or cold.